Diagnostic Tool With Smart Camera

ABSTRACT

A diagnostic tool that includes a smart camera. The smart camera can be used to capture an image of the part that needs to be replaced. The image can also include the bar code that may be attached to the part. The image can be used to search a parts information database for additional parts information such as part number, manuals, pictures, etc. A further search of a parts supplier&#39;s database can be conducted using a location of the diagnostic tool to determine the nearest parts supplier that has the part available and the best price.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle diagnostic tool.More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle diagnostictool with a smart camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle diagnostic tools are used to diagnose issues in the vehicleunder test. The diagnostic tools are built with increasing capabilitiesthat include larger color screens that are capable of being read indirect sunlight, and internet and networking capabilities. Thediagnostic tool can be directly linked to a vehicle's data linkconnector (DLC) in order to communicate with the vehicle's on-boarddiagnostic system, such as OBD-II (On Board Diagnostic). Once thediagnostic tool is connected to the DLC it can draw power from thevehicle's battery.

During diagnostic testing, components of the vehicle must be replaced.The technician often must identify the parts and the associated partnumbers and call the various auto parts store to see if the part is instock. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system and method thatcan identify the part and the part number and its availability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A diagnostic tool equipped with a smart camera can be used to helpidentify parts and their associated part numbers and availability at aparts store. The camera can be used to take a picture of the part thatneeds to be replaced and the diagnostic tool using parts recognitionsoftware can identify the part and access the parts store's database tosee if the part is available and the selling price.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a diagnostictool for a vehicle is provided, which can include a processor to controlfunctions of the diagnostic tool, a memory that stores a software tooperate the diagnostic tool and a database of parts information, thememory communicates with the processor, a connector interface thatconnects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle,the connector interface communicates with the processor, a signaltranslator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with thevehicle in at least one communication protocol, the signal translatorcommunicates with the processor, a display that displays informationincluding the part information, the display communicates with theprocessor, a camera that takes an image of the part and communicateswith the processor, and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory,the connector interface, the signal translator, and the display.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, adiagnostic tool for a vehicle is provided, which can include a means forcontrolling the functions of the diagnostic tool, a means for storing asoftware to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of partsinformation, the means for storing communicates with the means forcontrolling, a means for interfacing with the diagnostic tool to a datalink connector in the vehicle, the means for interfacing communicateswith the means for controlling, a means for translating that allows thediagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least onecommunication protocol, the means for translating communicates with themeans for controlling, a means for displaying information including thepart information, the display communicates with the means forcontrolling, a means for imaging the part and communicates with themeans for controlling, and a means for housing surrounding the means forcontrolling, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the meansfor translating, and the means for displaying.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, is amethod of identifying a part which can include obtaining an image of apart that needs to be replaced from a camera, searching a partinformation database using the image for a part's information, the partinformation database located on a computing device that communicateswith the camera, and identifying the part's information from the partinformation database based on the image.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodimentsof the invention that will be described below and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments inaddition to those described and of being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a diagnostic tool according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an upper view of the diagnostic tool according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image recording device coupledto diagnostic tool of FIG.1 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of the diagnostic toolaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tool communicating with the remote computingdevices having the remote parts imaging database according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the steps of identifying and obtaining informationfor a part that needs to be replaced according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingfigures, in which like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present inventionprovides a system such as a diagnostic tool to identify the part, locateits availability and pricing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a diagnostic tool 100 according to anembodiment of the invention. An example of the diagnostic tool is thePegisys® from Service Solutions (Owatonna, Minn.), business unit of aSPX Corporation. The diagnostic tool 100 includes a housing 101, display102, a scroll device (or input device) 104, a power button 108, LEDindicators 110 and function buttons 112. The display can be any type ofdisplay including LCD, LED, VGA, OLED, SVGA and other types of displaysincluding touch screen displays. The display may be a colored,non-colored (e.g. gray scale) or a combination of both. The display candisplay information such as the make, model, year of vehicles that thediagnostic tool can diagnose, the various diagnostic tests thediagnostic tool can run, diagnostic data the diagnostic tool hasreceived, the baseline data of the various components in a vehicle, partimages, parts information, and information from remote servers(internet, database information, etc). Additionally, the display canshow videos for the user to view and the accompanying audio can be heardvia the built in speakers 114. The speakers can be a single speaker ormultiple speakers (as shown) for stereo sound. In one embodiment, thedisplay allows the user to input selection through the touch screen forinteractive navigation and selection, wherein the technician can selecta menu item by touching the selection on the screen.

The scroll device 104 can be used to scroll through information or menuson the display, such as vehicle information or available diagnostictests and used to input information. In one embodiment, there is onescroll device 104 and in another embodiment there are two or more scrolldevices 104. When two scroll devices 104 are present, the user can havedual controls of the menus or the selections on the display. By havingtwo scroll devices, it will be easier for a technician to use thediagnostic tool regardless if he was left-handed or right-handed. Thescroll device includes an “enter” button 118 so that user can select themenu item, for example, a vehicle make, the part information, or adiagnostic test to run. The scroll device 104 also includes a scrollwheel 116 that can rotate around the “enter” button 118. The scrollwheel 116 also includes up, down, left and right arrow controls. Thescroll wheel 116 allows the technician to move an indicator on thescreen so that the information, such as menus can be scrolled and aselection on the screen can be made. The scroll wheel 116 is configuredfor a fast response or fast scrolling. The scroll device 104 alsoincludes a scroll button 106, such as an “esc” (escape) button or anyother button desired by the technician, such as a “back” or “forward”button. The scroll button 106 including any components of the scrolldevice 104 can be programmed for any desired functionality.

The face of the diagnostic tool 100 includes the power button 108 thatallows the technician to power “ON” and “OFF” the diagnostic tool 100.The power button 108 can also be used to put the tool 100 into a standbymode in order to save battery power when not in use. Also on the face ofthe diagnostic tool are LEDs to indicate various status of thefunctionality of the diagnostic tools, such as wireless connectivity ornetwork connectivity, low battery and any other indicators desired bythe technician. The face of the diagnostic tool further includesfunction buttons 112 that when pressed allows a user to perform aspecified function such as controlling the brightness of the display,volume of the speakers or any other function desired by the technician.A microphone 120 allows the technician to record information such as thenoise being made by the vehicle for later analysis or for comparisonwith stored data. Further, the technician can also record comments ornotes during the testing for later retrieval and analysis.

FIG. 2 is an upper view of the diagnostic tool 100 according to anembodiment of the invention. Turning to the connections available on thediagnostic tool 100, the diagnostic tool can be connected to an A/Cpower source via the A/C power connector 122. The A/C powers thediagnostic tool and recharges the diagnostic tool's internal battery(not shown). A VGA video connector 124 allows the information on thediagnostic tool 100 to be displayed on an external display, such as adisplay on a personal computer. Other display connector types caninclude HDMI for better graphics and sound.

A series of host USB (universal serial bus) connectors 126 are availableto couple additional devices to the diagnostic tool 100. In oneembodiment, there are four connectors, but more or less connectors arecontemplated by the invention. Additional devices can add functionalityto the diagnostic tool or allow the diagnostic tool 100 to addfunctionality to another device, such as a VCI (vehicle communicationinterface) 200. The functionality can include communications, printing,memory storage, video and other functionality. A two- channel scopeconnection 128 allows for a scope to be connected to the diagnostic tool100. The scope allows for various measurement of signals such as volts,ohms, dwell, duty cycle, peak to peak, peak volts, injector pulse width,injector on time, firing kV, burn kV, burn voltage and other measurementof signals.

A stereo headphone connection 130 allows the technician to add aheadphone to the diagnostic tool 100. A USB device slot 132 also addsfunctionality to the diagnostic tool by another device or addsfunctionality of the diagnostic tool to another device. An express cardslot 134 is provided to add functionality, such as a wireless modem,memory, TV tuner, networking, mouse, remote control and otherfunctionalities to the diagnostic tool 100. An Ethernet connector 136allows for network connection with the diagnostic tool 100 in order totransfer data to and from the diagnostic tool to a remote device such asa server or personal computer. SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output) 140card slots are provided on the diagnostic tool 100 to provide stilladditional functionality such as receivers, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapters,modems, Ethernet adapters, barcode readers, IrDA adapters, FM radiotuners, TV tuners, RFID readers, and mass storage media such as harddrives and flash drives. The connections are not limited to what areshown in FIG. 2, but additional connectors are contemplated such asFirewire, HDMI, and serial connections.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image recording device 300coupled to diagnostic tool 100 of FIG.1 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the imagerecording device such as a smart camera 300 that records still images orvideo. The smart camera 300 includes a lens 320, or two or as many asneeded, a flash 310, a microphone 330, connectors 340 (wired or wirelessconnection) and a display (not shown). Optionally the smart camera hasat least one speaker to provide audio to the technician and its ownmemory and power source. Thus, the smart camera can save information tothe diagnostic tool, any computing device (discussed below) or itself.The lens zoom and focus features could also be digitally enhanced bysoftware on the diagnostic tool or the camera.

The smart camera 300 that is capable of recording still images, a seriesof still images at predetermined times and number(s), or as a video. Asshown in FIG. 3, the smart camera 300 can be in circuit communicationwith the diagnostic tool 100, or other pass through devices, via aserial port, USB (universal serial bus), BLUETOOTH, FIREWIRE, etc., andtransmit images back to the diagnostic tool 100 or a computing device350, where the images or video will be displayed.

The connection between the smart camera 300 and the diagnostic tool 100can be wired or wireless using the various methods of connection andprotocols as discussed herein. In an alternative, the camera can bebuilt into the diagnostic tool itself (401 of FIG. 4). The communicationcan be bi-directional or mono-directional. The smart camera 300 can beused to take pictures of the various parts of the vehicle include theparts that may be faulty. The smart camera 300 can also be used to takea picture of the vehicle or device that the part is used for. This waythe vehicle or device can also be identified using a database (vehicleor device, etc.) similar to the ones described herein. The smart cameracan be used to train technicians including using the smart camera totake pictures of how the parts fits in the vehicle and its location sothat the technician can be use the pictures to put the parts back in theproper place if needed.

In one embodiment, the technician can use the smart camera 300 to take apicture of a faulty part. A parts image database 412 (FIG. 4) stored onthe diagnostic tool or remotely can be used to identify the part byusing image recognition software. The image database can contain imagesof the parts or other information such as bar code information, etc.Certain portions (identifying points and measurements) or the wholeprofile of the part can be used to compare the part to images of partsof a vehicle or device stored in the parts image database. The imagerecognition software should be able to use various characteristics ofthe part to conduct the search. These characteristics includemeasurements of the part, wiring, connections, color(s), contrast (partversus the background of the vehicle), surface characteristics of thepart, etc.

The search of the parts image database will proceed faster if thevehicle (or device) identification information for the vehicle (ordevice) under test is entered into the diagnostic tool so that thesearch is limited to the parts of the entered vehicle (or device). Thevehicle identification information can include the VIN (vehicleidentification number), make, model, year or other vehicle identifiablecharacteristics (hybrid, electric, etc.). Other search parameters can beused to narrow down the search such as major categories such astransmission, brake, interior, exterior, etc. Once the search identifiesthe part(s), the information related to the part can be displayed on adisplay screen of the diagnostic tool (other computing device) forverification by the technician. Optionally, the camera's display canalso be used to display the information. In other embodiments, the image(and other information) can be sent to a smart phone so that thetechnician can have a portable image with him at the parts store. Theinformation can include the part's number, diagrams on how to remove andreplace the part, diagrams on where the part is located on the vehicle,manuals for the part, specifications about the parts, warrantyinformation, oem (original equipment manufacturer) equivalent parts,etc. Once properly identified, additional information such as partsavailability, pricing, location, etc. can be retrieved as discussedherein.

In another embodiment, the smart camera 300 also can function as barcode reader by being able to “read” bar codes on a part, for example.This may be completed through focusing the smart camera's lens on thebar code and then taking an image of the bar code. The bar code image orthe information converted from the bar code image can be used to searchto the parts image database. Once identified, the bar code informationcan provide information such as the part's number to the technician.Further, information such as parts availability, pricing, location, etc.can be retrieved as discussed further below.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the components of the diagnostic tool 100according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4, the diagnostictool 100 according to an embodiment of the invention includes the smartcamera 401, a processor 402, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 414,a first system bus 424, the display 102, a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD) 406, the input device in the form of a keypad 404 (scrolldevice), a memory subsystem 408, an internal non-volatile memory (NVM)418 having the parts image database 412, a card reader 420 (optional), asecond system bus 422, a connector interface 411, a selectable signaltranslator 410, a GPS antenna 432, a GPS receiver 434, an optionalaltimeter 436 and wireless communication circuit 438. A vehiclecommunication interface 430 of the vehicle under test is incommunication with the diagnostic tool 100 through connector interface211 via an external cable (not shown).

Selectable signal translator 410 communicates with the vehiclecommunication interface 430 through the connector interface 411. Signaltranslator 410 conditions signals received from an ECU unit through thevehicle communication interface 430 to a conditioned signal compatiblewith diagnostic tool 100. Signal translator 410 can communicate with,for example, the following communication protocols: J1850 (VPM and PWM),ISO 9141-2 signal, communication collision detection (CCD) (e.g.,Chrysler collision detection), data communication links (DCL), serialcommunication interface (SCI), Controller Area Network (CAN), Keyword2000 (ISO 14230-4), OBD II or other communication protocols that areimplemented in a vehicle.

The circuitry to translate and send in a particular communicationprotocol can be selected by FPGA 414 (e.g., by tri-stating unusedtransceivers) or by providing a keying device that plugs into theconnector interface 411 that is provided by diagnostic tool 100 toconnect diagnostic tool 100 to the vehicle communication interface 430.Signal translator 410 is also coupled to FPGA 414 and the card reader420 via the first system bus 424. FPGA 414 transmits to and receivessignals (i.e., messages) from the ECU unit through signal translator410.

The FPGA 414 is coupled to the processor 402 through various address,data and control lines by the second system bus 422. FPGA 414 is alsocoupled to the card reader 420 through the first system bus 424. Theprocessor 402 is also coupled to the display 102 in order to output thedesired information to the user. The processor 402 communicates with theCPLD 406 through the second system bus 422. Additionally, the processor402 is programmed to receive input from the user through the userinterface 404 via the CPLD 406. The CPLD 406 provides logic for decodingvarious inputs from the user of the diagnostic tool 100 and alsoprovides glue-logic for various other interfacing tasks.

Memory subsystem 408 and internal non-volatile memory 418 are coupled tothe second system bus 422, which allows for communication with theprocessor 402 and FPGA 414. Memory subsystem 408 can include anapplication dependent amount of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), ahard drive, and/or read only memory (ROM). Software to run thediagnostic tool 100 can be stored in the memory 408 or 418, includingany other database. The database can include diagnostic information andother information related to vehicles.

In one embodiment, the parts image database can be located on a remotecomputing device instead of being local on the diagnostic tool. Theremote parts image database can be accessed via a wireless or wiredconnection. The remote parts image database can also be stored on anexternal memory, such as a compact flash card or other memories andaccessed locally by the diagnostic tool.

Internal non-volatile memory 418 can be an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash ROM, or other similarmemory. Internal non-volatile memory 418 can provide, for example,storage for boot code, self-diagnostics, various drivers and space forFPGA images, if desired. If less than all of the modules are implementedin FPGA 414, memory 418 can contain downloadable images so that FPGA 414can be reconfigured for a different group of communication protocols.

The GPS antenna 432 and GPS receiver 434 may be mounted in or on thehousing 101 or any combination thereof. The GPS antenna 432electronically couples to the GPS receiver 434 and allows the GPSreceiver to communicate (detects and decodes signals) with varioussatellites that orbit the Earth. In one embodiment, the GPS antenna andGPS receiver are one device instead of two. The GPS receiver 434 and GPSantenna 432 electronically couple to the processor 402, which is coupledto memory 408, NVM 418 or a memory card in the card reader 420. Thememories can be used to store cartographic data, such as electronicmaps. The diagnostic tool can include all the maps for the U.S. (orcountry of use), North America or can have the region or state where thediagnostic tool is located. In alternative embodiments, the diagnostictool can have all the maps of the world or any portion of the worlddesired by the user. This allows the diagnostic tool to be a GPS deviceso that a driver can drive from one location to another. The maps may beover lay or incorporates with traffic, local events, and location ofother GPS devices (smart phones) and other information that can beuseful to the technician. By being able to locate other diagnostic toolswith GPS, then the technicians may be able to use the diagnostic toolsto locate each other in order to conduct a meeting or have a socialevent.

The GPS receiver communicates with and “locks on” to a certain number ofsatellites in order to have a “fix” on its global location. Once thelocation is fixed, the GPS receiver, with the help of the processor, candetermine the exact location including longitude, latitude, altitude,velocity of movement and other navigational data of the diagnostic tool100.

Should GPS receiver be unable to lock onto the minimum number ofsatellites to determine the altitude or unable to determine the altitudefor any reason, the altimeter 436 can be used to determine the altitudeof the diagnostic tool 100. The altimeter 436 is electronically coupledto the processor 402 and can provide the altitude or elevation of thediagnostic tool 100. The altimeter 436 can be coupled to a barometricpressure sensor (not shown) in order to calibrate the elevationmeasurements determined by the altimeter. The sensor can be positionedinterior or exterior to the housing 101 of the diagnostic tool 100.Minor atmospheric pressure changes can affect the accuracy of thealtimeter, thus, diagnostic tool can correct for these changes by usingthe sensor in conjunction with the altimeter along with a correctionfactor known in the art.

Wireless communication circuit 438 communicates with the processor 402via the second bus system 422. The wireless communication circuit can beconfigured to communicate via RF (radio frequency), satellites, cellularphones (analog or digital), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, Infrared, Zigby, LocalArea Networks (LAN), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), other wirelesscommunication configurations and standards or a combination thereof. Thewireless communication circuit 438 allows the diagnostic tool tocommunicate with other devices wirelessly such as with a remotecomputing device 500 (FIG. 5) having remote databases. In oneembodiment, the database includes the parts image database 550 (FIG. 5).The wireless communication circuit 438 includes an antenna built thereinand being housed within the housing 101 or can be externally located onthe housing 101.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tool 100 communicating with the remote computingdevices 500, 560, 580 having the remote parts imaging database accordingto another embodiment of the invention. As previously stated, the tool100 includes the ability to access the remote computing devices via awired or wireless connection. In this embodiment, the tool 100 iswirelessly communicating with the remote computing device 500 thatstores the parts image database in the event the additional informationis not stored locally on the diagnostic tool. In this embodiment, theparts image database can be used to search for the correct part andparts number based on the images captured by the smart camera includingthe bard code image.

The remote computing devices 500, 560, 580 can be located in the garagethat the tool 100 is being used or located in another location such asanother building, another part of the city, another city, county, stateor country. The wireless connection can also be via a distributednetwork, such as the Internet.

In one embodiment, the remote computing devices 560, 580 may be partssuppliers computing devices that contain respective parts informationdatabases. The parts information can include pricing, warranty,availability, diagrams, manuals, delivery options including mailing andlocal delivery, and other parts information. Thus, once the part(s) thatneeds replacement is identified, the parts supplier's computing devices560, 580 that contains the parts databases 570, 590 (respectively) canbe accessed to determine the price and availability of the part. The GPSlocation of the diagnostic tool can be used so that the nearest partsupplier can be located with the part available for purchase and thebest price. This will save time and provide options so that thetechnician can choose to travel to the parts store to purchase the part,have the part delivered locally or shipped by interacting with a website stored on the parts supplier's computing device, or simply place iton hold for pick up when desired. Additionally, other parts stores thathave the part available can also be displayed so that the technician hasa choice to go other stores in the event he has to run other errands oris on the way home or returning back to work.

FIG. 6 illustrates the steps of identifying and obtaining informationfor a part that needs to be replaced according to an embodiment of theinvention. The method of indentifying and obtaining information aboutthe part 600 starts at step 602. At step 602, the smart camera can beused to take an image of the part that needs to be replaced oridentified. The smart camera can simply take a picture of the part or ifthe bar code is available, then the smart camera can take a picture ofthe bar code. At step 604, a search of the parts image database isconducted. The parts image database can be located on the diagnostictool 100 or on a remote computing device 500 or both. At step 606, thediagnostic tool and/or the remote computing device 500 can identify thepart and provide the part information such as the part number, theamount of the part that would be needed to be replaced or other partidentifying characteristics. For example, it is recommended to replacetwo tires or shocks at a time instead of one. The location of where thepart (and indirectly the technician) is located can be determined basedon the GPS coordinate of the diagnostic tool 100 using the tool's GPScomponents.

At step 608, the diagnostic tool or the computing device 500 cancommunicate with the parts suppliers' computing devices 560, 580 tosearch for the part. At step 610, the part is identified based on theinformation sent to the parts suppliers' computing devices. At step 610,the part information can be displayed to the technician on a display ofthe diagnostic tool 100 or remote computing device 500 or the camera.The part information can include pricing (costs, retail, discounted,etc.), availability including the location of the parts and if notavailable, alternative locations of the part or when the part isexpected to be available and if there are alternatives (generic parts)that are available for the original equipment manufacture part. At step640, the technician can take action depending on the informationdisplayed to him including ordering and purchasing the part to bedelivered (if locally available) or shipped, or placing the part on holdfor pickup at a later time and other actions. Alternatively, thetechnician can take no action based on the information provided or anyother reason. The method ends at step 640.

The embodiments described herein can be used in other areas beyondvehicle and their components. Other areas include devices, buildings oranything that have components that are replaceable such as computingdevices, and refrigeration devices, heating devices, etc.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

1. A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising: a processor to controlfunctions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software tooperate the diagnostic tool and a database of parts information, thememory communicates with the processor; a connector interface thatconnects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle,the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signaltranslator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with thevehicle in at least one communication protocol, the signal translatorcommunicates with the processor; a display that displays informationincluding the part information, the display communicates with theprocessor; a camera that takes an image of the part and communicateswith the processor; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory,the connector interface, the signal translator, and the display.
 2. Thediagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the image is a bar code on the partthat can be used to search the parts information database.
 3. Thediagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the processor uses the image of thepart taken by the camera to search for part's information in the partsinformation database.
 4. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein thepart's information include at least one of the following: part number,part specification, part diagram, and part manual.
 5. The diagnostictool of claim 1 further comprising: a wireless communication interfacethat communicates with a part supplier's database to determineavailability and pricing of the part; and an input device communicatingwith the processor.
 6. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprisinga global positioning system that locates a location of the diagnostictool so that the location can be used to find the nearest part supplierstore that has the part available.
 7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6,wherein the nearest part supplier store has the best price for the part.8. A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising: a means for controllingthe functions of the diagnostic tool; a means for storing a software tooperate the diagnostic tool and a database of parts information, themeans for storing communicates with the means for controlling; a meansfor interfacing with the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in thevehicle, the means for interfacing communicates with the means forcontrolling; a means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool tocommunicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, themeans for translating communicates with the means for controlling; ameans for displaying information including the part information, thedisplay communicates with the means for controlling; a means for imagingthe part and communicates with the means for controlling; and a meansfor housing surrounding the means for controlling, the means forstoring, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, and themeans for displaying.
 9. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, wherein theimage is a bar code on the part that can be used to search the partsinformation database.
 10. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, wherein themeans for controlling uses the image of the part taken by the means forimaging to search for part's information in the parts informationdatabase.
 11. The diagnostic tool of claim 10, wherein the part'sinformation include at least one of the following: part number, partspecification, part diagram, and part manual.
 12. The diagnostic tool ofclaim 8, further comprising: a wireless communication interface thatcommunicates with a part supplier's database to determine availabilityand pricing of the part; and a means for inputting that communicateswith the means for controlling.
 13. The diagnostic tool of claim 8further comprising a global positioning system that locates a locationof the diagnostic tool so that the location can be used to find thenearest part supplier store that has the part available.
 14. Thediagnostic tool of claim 13, wherein the nearest part supplier store hasthe best price for the part.
 15. A method of identifying a part,comprising the steps of: obtaining an image of a part that needs to bereplaced from a camera; searching a part information database using theimage for a part's information, the part information database located ona computing device that communicates with the camera; and identifyingthe part's information from the part information database based on theimage.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:searching a part supplier's database for availability of the part; anddisplaying the part's information on a display.
 17. The method of claim16 further comprising the steps of; locating a location of the computingdevice with a global positioning system; and searching for a nearestpart supplier having the part available using the location.
 18. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising the step of searching a nearestsupplier having the best price for the part.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein the display is on the camera or the computing device.
 20. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the image is a bar code.
 21. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the part's information include at least one of thefollowing: part number, part specification, part diagram, and partmanual.